That is in no way the first spherical building! There is the Epcot Sphere, the Stockholm Ericcson Globe, Buckminster Fuller domes, and the Hangzhou Convention center are all completed and opened now. http://www.600496.com/en/108.aspx?ID=368

Many of the buildings look awesome, but don't look too friendly from street level. The most sustainable building is one that is primarily accessed on foot. That implies that it is inviting to pedestrians, rather than having a base of solid concrete walls.

The main exhibition object "Sphere" was designed for 150 meters in diameter. After corrections and additions to the project was reduced to 80 meters. This was done in order to reduce the financial cost of construction and build the entire complex by 2017.

Description of the Final Concept of an Architectural Design developed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture LLP for International Specialized Exhibition “EXPO-2017”
AS+GG’s design for EXPO-2017 will embrace the Future Energy concept, where energy consumed by the Expo community will be provided from renewable sources. Buildings will become generators of power and their energy will be stored using innovative technologies while being distributed by a smart grid. The Expo community will provide infrastructure to encourage and support the use of vehicles that use renewable fuels.

All the building are designed to operate as “power plants” that harness energy from the sun and/or wind. The buildings will use this power directly or supply it to the district-wide smart grid for storage or use.

PHASED DEVELOPMENT

Split into two phases, the 174 ha project will feature exhibition and cultural pavilions; a residential development; service areas including shopping, socio-cultural, educational and civic facilities; parks; and parking.

Phase 1 or the “Expo Mode,” will see the design and construction of the exposition buildings including the central Kazakhstan Pavilion; Theme, Corporate and International Pavilions; as well as hotel, retail, art and performance spaces. The first phase will also include the design and construction of a series of buildings that will act as a “covered city,” which will include retail, residential and office spaces. Phase 1 will be completed by June 2017 to serve the Expo and its visitors.

Phase 2 or the “Legacy Mode,” will finalize the first zero-energy district. The Expo buildings will be converted into an office and research park, attracting international companies and entrepreneurs. Expo parking and service zones will be transformed into thriving and first class integrated neighborhoods including an additional residential units, as well as office, hotels, local markets, and civic and educational facilities.

FORM FOLLOWS PERFORMANCE

The defining symbol of the EXPO-2017 site will be the sphere-shaped Kazakhstan Pavilion (24,000 sm), located at the center of Expo City. The pavilion will have a transformative skin that will reduce thermal loss and reduce interior solar glare. A host of integrated systems, including photovolatics, will save and increase the energy output of the building simultaneously.

Each of the Expo buildings was designed to take advantage of their site location. For example, everything in the residential development, from the street grid rotation, the block size and the distribution of building mass was developed through a series of studies to reduce energy use, improve comfort levels (indoors and outdoors) and increase energy harvesting for each unit.

The form and material expression of the buildings was based on their performance, providing a distinguishable language specific to its site and culture. The building forms are the direct result of a considerate and thorough design process which AS+GG practices as “Form Follows Performance”.

MASTER PLAN

The master plan for Expo City was designed around the same principle. The community’s urban design was determined by site specific indicators such as weather conditions, cultural context and land accessibility. AS+GG executed a series of studies with the goal of minimizing the site’s energy-use, while maximizing its energy harvesting potential and comfort levels.

The crucial difference of this project is that it is not a demonstration. It will form the basis of a truly sustainable community that will serve as a legacy for Astana and Kazakhstan. The sustainable aspects of the project will continue after the expo is finished. The design will be a catalyst for scientific/academic research and development, which will create new industries, unique skill sets and new job opportunities.

Re-use and adaptation of Expo buildings is an important advantage of AS+GG’s design. From an economic point of view, it is very important for the post-Expo use of the entire erected infrastructure.

Also important is the lasting physical connections that will be developed from the Expo site to existing sites around Astana. For example, a covered city concept has been developed to connect the Nazarbayev University, the train station and the Expo buildings. This zone will encourage pedestrian use and connectivity all year round and will include residential, office and retail use.

There will also be a public park connection that will stretch north past the Expo site, linking to a larger park system that will culminate at Bayterek Tower. To the north, the park system will be anchored by the tower; toward the south, by the “New Symbol of Astana:” the Kazakhstan Pavilion.

The site-wide infrastructure concept, developed by the AS+GG team, is an integration of occupants, buildings and utilities. A smart energy grid, smart recycled water grid, integrated waste management system, and interseasonal underground thermal energy storage will be developed under the purview of AS+GG’s sustainable design group with sustainability goals that include peak and total energy demand reduction, water reduction and waste to landfill reduction targets.

President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev took part in the capsule laying ceremony at the site of “Astana EXPO-2017” exhibition complex
Capsule laying ceremony attended by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, was held today in Astana at the site of “Astana EXPO-2017” exhibition complex.

Management of JSC “NC “Astana EXPO-2017” presented a schedule for the construction of “Astana EXPO-2017” exhibition complex to the Head of the State. Major construction-assembly works are planned for the period from May 2014 to December 2016. Master Plan of the Exhibition Complex was developed in conjunction with the German company “Albert Spier”, and approved by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The exhibition area of the complex will accommodate National Pavilion of Kazakhstan, international, corporate and themed pavilions, shopping, entertainment and service facilities. The area out of the exhibition will include a conference center, press center, indoor city, houses and hotels.

Well-known architect developed the master plan for EXPO-2017
A prominent German architect Albert Speer Jr. has developed the master plan for the EXPO world exhibition that will take place in Astana in 2017. ‘Albert Speer and Partner’ Company is one of the most famous in Germany working beyond the standards. The office was among many other things also responsible for the design of EXPO 2000 in Hanover, the design of the International Shanghai Automobile City, and it was part of the firm involved in Munich’s bid for the Olympic Winter Games in 2018 as well as for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022.

Albert SPEER JR., ARCHITECT:
– We are among those offices that know how to deal with world exhibitions and events of worldwide interest in general – for example Football World Cups or Olympic Games. We have earned a very good reputation in this field.

Representatives of Kazakhstan Consulate in Frankfurt also emphasize the importance of the German company’s involvement in EXPO-2017.

Yevgeny SHAIKENOV, KAZAKH CONSUL IN FRANKFURT:
– For Kazakhstan the participation of the architectural office of Albert Speer is very important, because it is an internationally known office that built many interesting objects around the globe.

Frank Hof has been working in an architectural office since the early 90’s and he has been the project director for the various EXPO plans the company was involved with – from Hanover via Shanghai and Izmir to now Astana.

Frank HOF, PROJECT DIRECTOR:
- The working title of the project was related to the general theme of the exposition – “Future Energy”. In our vision, this is the last drop of oil. Everyone knows that the oil will be finished one day. And this is why this last drop of oil is embedded in this big basin, which represents one form of possible future energy.

Description of the Final Concept of an Architectural Design developed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture LLP for International Specialized Exhibition “EXPO-2017”
AS+GG’s design for EXPO-2017 will embrace the Future Energy concept, where energy consumed by the Expo community will be provided from renewable sources. Buildings will become generators of power and their energy will be stored using innovative technologies while being distributed by a smart grid. The Expo community will provide infrastructure to encourage and support the use of vehicles that use renewable fuels.

All the building are designed to operate as “power plants” that harness energy from the sun and/or wind. The buildings will use this power directly or supply it to the district-wide smart grid for storage or use.

PHASED DEVELOPMENT

Split into two phases, the 174 ha project will feature exhibition and cultural pavilions; a residential development; service areas including shopping, socio-cultural, educational and civic facilities; parks; and parking.

Phase 1 or the “Expo Mode,” will see the design and construction of the exposition buildings including the central Kazakhstan Pavilion; Theme, Corporate and International Pavilions; as well as hotel, retail, art and performance spaces. The first phase will also include the design and construction of a series of buildings that will act as a “covered city,” which will include retail, residential and office spaces. Phase 1 will be completed by June 2017 to serve the Expo and its visitors.

Phase 2 or the “Legacy Mode,” will finalize the first zero-energy district. The Expo buildings will be converted into an office and research park, attracting international companies and entrepreneurs. Expo parking and service zones will be transformed into thriving and first class integrated neighborhoods including an additional residential units, as well as office, hotels, local markets, and civic and educational facilities.

FORM FOLLOWS PERFORMANCE

The defining symbol of the EXPO-2017 site will be the sphere-shaped Kazakhstan Pavilion (24,000 sm), located at the center of Expo City. The pavilion will have a transformative skin that will reduce thermal loss and reduce interior solar glare. A host of integrated systems, including photovolatics, will save and increase the energy output of the building simultaneously.

Each of the Expo buildings was designed to take advantage of their site location. For example, everything in the residential development, from the street grid rotation, the block size and the distribution of building mass was developed through a series of studies to reduce energy use, improve comfort levels (indoors and outdoors) and increase energy harvesting for each unit.

The form and material expression of the buildings was based on their performance, providing a distinguishable language specific to its site and culture. The building forms are the direct result of a considerate and thorough design process which AS+GG practices as “Form Follows Performance”.

MASTER PLAN

The master plan for Expo City was designed around the same principle. The community’s urban design was determined by site specific indicators such as weather conditions, cultural context and land accessibility. AS+GG executed a series of studies with the goal of minimizing the site’s energy-use, while maximizing its energy harvesting potential and comfort levels.

The crucial difference of this project is that it is not a demonstration. It will form the basis of a truly sustainable community that will serve as a legacy for Astana and Kazakhstan. The sustainable aspects of the project will continue after the expo is finished. The design will be a catalyst for scientific/academic research and development, which will create new industries, unique skill sets and new job opportunities.

Re-use and adaptation of Expo buildings is an important advantage of AS+GG’s design. From an economic point of view, it is very important for the post-Expo use of the entire erected infrastructure.

Also important is the lasting physical connections that will be developed from the Expo site to existing sites around Astana. For example, a covered city concept has been developed to connect the Nazarbayev University, the train station and the Expo buildings. This zone will encourage pedestrian use and connectivity all year round and will include residential, office and retail use.

There will also be a public park connection that will stretch north past the Expo site, linking to a larger park system that will culminate at Bayterek Tower. To the north, the park system will be anchored by the tower; toward the south, by the “New Symbol of Astana:” the Kazakhstan Pavilion.

The site-wide infrastructure concept, developed by the AS+GG team, is an integration of occupants, buildings and utilities. A smart energy grid, smart recycled water grid, integrated waste management system, and interseasonal underground thermal energy storage will be developed under the purview of AS+GG’s sustainable design group with sustainability goals that include peak and total energy demand reduction, water reduction and waste to landfill reduction targets.

Well with latest developments in research on 3D textile structures using piezoelectric energy harvesting fibres their are amazing results of the project could lead to the development of energy-harnessing carpets or mobile devices that can be charged as your clothes move. One of the researchers leading the project explains why fabrics could soon hold the power and what commercial partner FibrLec has planned.

INTERNATIONAL SPECIALIZED EXHIBITION “ASTANA EXPO 2017” RECEIVES OFFICIAL RECOGNITION IN PARIS
On 11 June 2014 EXPO 2017 was officially recognized and official ceremony of the BIE flag handover conducted under the 155th General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions.

At the 155th BIE General Assembly Kazakhstan delegation’s leader, Mr. Yerlan Idrissov, RoK Minister of Foreign Affairs, voiced welcome words of the RoK President Nursultan Nazarbayev expressing his firm confidence that the EXPO-2017 in Astana be carried out at the highest level.
Vicente Gonzalez Loscertales, Secretary General of the BIE, congratulated Kazakhstan on handover of the BIE flag. He stated that Kazakhstan had proven at the very first phase that BIE’s choice was right: the General Assembly successfully accepted Kazakhstan’s registration dossier. The BIE Secretary General underlined that Kazakhstan fulfills each item of the EXPO-2017 Development Roadmap in timely manner. In addition, he said that the Future Energy theme is very important for the entire world community and the Astana exhibition will firstly foster the development of the city and country, and secondly, provide opportunity for the development of science and innovations in the country.
As advised earlier, on 24 April 2014 the Kazakhstan delegation successfully defended the EXPO-2017 registration dossier at a regular session of the BIE Executive Committee in Paris. The BIE head-quarters is located in Paris and currently 168 countries are IBE members. The EXPO-2017 will take place from 10 July to 10 September 2017 in Astana. As many as 100 countries, 10 international organizations as well as lead businesses in the area of innovation technologies will participate in the exhibition. http://www.expo2017astana.com/en/new...ialrecognition
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EXPO2017 at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi
The transition to a “Green Economy” has been a main priority of Kazakhstan the past several years. In 2012, our capital Astana, won its bid to host EXPO2017with ‘Future Energy’ as the theme. This subsequently led to the adoption of “green” development.

Kazakhstan participated in Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in the capital of the UAE. According to Talgat Yermegiyayev, the Chairman of the Astana EXPO-2017’s National Company JSC, the summit provides the ideal platform for cooperation with key partners in future energy sector projects.

This week, the formal countdown to the ‘Future Energy’ EXPO 2017 in Kazakhstan will begin, as we receive the official flag of the Bureau International des Expositions in Paris. The global event will see representatives from over 100 nations coming to our capital city of Astana to showcase clean and green energy technology and promote its use worldwide.

It would be easy to dismiss our EXPO as an exhibition that lasts just a few months, or even dismiss ‘Future Energy’ as a fashionable theme for a major oil producer to trumpet. But the reality is that it is a symbol of our nation’s determination to pursue green development and play our full part in promoting sustainability around the world.

Domestically, Kazakhstan has already set itself a target of meeting at least half of its energy needs from alternative and renewable sources by 2050. We believe there is huge potential to develop wind and solar power in our country as well as to cut energy waste. We are also investing heavily in building a green technology sector to diversify and ‘future proof’ our economy, creating new high tech, high value employment and attracting fresh investment.

Internationally, we see EXPO 2017 as a key part of our Green Bridge initiative to bring together governments, international organisations and private business to find solutions to sustainable growth. We have to be ambitious in creating partnerships to share technology and best practice with countries throughout the world, no matter what their stage of development. This is why I hope you will join us at EXPO 2017.

Concert dedicated to the formal recognition of the exhibition EXPO-2017
In honor of presenting Kazakhstan flag of the International Exhibitions Bureau in Astana has hosted two major concert with participation of Kazakhstan and foreign music. Capital celebrated the official recognition of EXPO 2017. It now means that Kazakhstan has the right to attract foreign exhibitors and deal with image promotion EXPO 2017 in the international arena.
Official recognition of EXPO 2017 and ceremonial presentation of the flag of the International Exhibitions Bureau held June 11 on the 155th session of the General Assembly of the BIE in Paris.